Giants’ Dave Gettleman has ‘no regrets’ over drafting Saquon Barkley
The New York Giants are deep into their 2021 training camp and preseason and with multiple questions still to be answered, the team decided to empty the offices and send the powers that be out in front of the media.
The first person up was general manager Dave Gettleman, the man who has the most to lose — and gain — by this season. The media was waiting with a fusillade of questions regarding Gettleman’s personnel decisions and future plans.
Here are a few of the hot points from Gettleman’s media season on Tuesday.
Giants remain all-in on Daniel Jones
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Asked if his draft day trade with the Chicago Bears for future draft capital was a hedge against Jones should he falter this season, Gettleman was quick to rebuff the notion. https://twitter.com/RVacchianoSNY/status/1427638803523571712
Still high on Kadarius Toney
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First-round draft pick Kadarius Toney has been limited in camp thus far after coming off the COVID-19 list. The Giants are bringing Toney along slowly and onlookers have not seen enough of him to make any type of determination on whether he can be successful as a receiver and/or a returner in the NFL. "The kid's a tremendous talent," Gettleman said. https://twitter.com/Dan_Salomone/status/1427638944775217159
No regrets on the Barkley choice
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Gettleman is sticking by his decision to take running back Saquon Barkley with the second overall pick back in 2018. Barkley missed 15 games last year with a torn ACL and had his 2019 season ruined by a high ankle sprain. "Absolutely," he said, reminding all that injuries happen. https://twitter.com/ZackBlatt/status/1427639719161208835
Changing his stance on contract negotiations
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Gettleman has always been a proponent of waiting until the end of the season to negotiate contracts. That's changing... https://twitter.com/MadelynBurke/status/1427640154844549152
Faith in the offensive line
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The Giants believe they are set at tackle with second-year players Andrew Thomas and Matt Peart. They also hold center Nick Gates in high regard. It's at guard where agrees they they need some depth but Gettleman has faith in Will Hernandez and Shane Lemieux and believes there will be some depth option after the second preseason game. "Training camp is not over and roster building never ends," he said. https://twitter.com/giantswfan/status/1427640746887327753
Talking trade leverage
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Gettleman has some leverage to make some trades if needed before the season but said that he preferred not to dip into the team's 10 draft picks next year to do so. https://twitter.com/MadelynBurke/status/1427641389236506624
Sees Judge as a partner
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Gettleman sees head coach Joe Judge as partner rather than a subordinate. Their working relationship is very solid. https://twitter.com/Dan_Salomone/status/1427641991626637327
Random thoughts
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Gettleman was asked about his health. He claimed to be healthy as "a horse." When asked about the haul he received from the Cleveland Browns two years ago, he said he was happy with the three players he got -- Jabrill Peppers, Dexter Lawrence and Oshane Ximines. As for the signing of tight end Kyle Rudolph, Gettleman told reporters the team was full aware of Rudolph's foot issue ("we didn't go into this blind"). Gettleman said the best 53 players will make the roster and vaccination status will not be a factor in those decisions.
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